Milford late April 2017

Milford late April 2017

Yellow-rumped Warbler, Walker's Pond, 4/29/17

Yellow-rumped Warbler, Walker's Pond, 4/29/17

Yellow-rumped Warbler, Walker's Pond, 4/29/17

Yellow-rumped Warbler, Walker's Pond, 4/29/17

Veery, Walker's Pond, 4/29/17

Veery, Walker's Pond, 4/29/17

Veery, Walker's Pond, 4/29/17

Veery, Walker's Pond, 4/29/17

Black-and-white WA, male, Walker's Pond, 4/29/17

Yellow Warbler, Walker's Pond

American Goldfinch, Walker's Pond

Piping Plover, Milford Point, 4/29/17

Piping Plover, Milford Point, 4/29/17

Semipalmated Sandpiper, Milford Point, 4/29/17

Semipalmated Sandpiper, Sanderling, Milford Point, 4/29/17

Indigo Bunting, Eisenhower Park

Indigo Bunting, Eisenhower Park

Hermit Thrush, Mondo Ponds

Common Loon, Merwin Point 4/30/1

Common Look, Merwin Point 4/30/1

Spotted Sandpiper Merwin Point 4/30/17

Black-and-white Warbler, male, Walker's Pond, 4/30/17

Black-and-white Warbler, female, Walker's Pond, 4/30/17

Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, 5/1/17, Wilcox Park, Milford CT  

Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, 5/1/17, Wilcox Park, Milford CT 

Milford Pt, late April Gr Yellowlegs, SB Dowitcher, Dunlin, Sanderling

Milford Pt, late April Gr Yellowlegs, SB Dowitcher, Dunlin, Sanderling
Notice many shorebirds now transitioning into breeding (alternate) plumage.  The Greater Yellowlegs is in breeding plumage.

Short-billed Dowitcher with Black-bellied Plover 4/27/17 Milford Point

Short-billed Dowitcher with Black-bellied Plovers, 4/27/17 Milford Point

Dunlin, Milford Point, 4/27/17

Sanderling, Milford Point, 4/27/17

Sanderling, Milford Point, 4/27/17

Greater Yellowlegs, Milford Point, 4/27/17

Greater Yellowlegs, Milford Point, 4/27/17

Greater Yellowlegs, Milford Point, 4/27/17

late April videos, Milford, DC Corm, Green Heron, SB Dowitcher

late April videos, Milford, DC Corm, Green Heron, SB Dowitcher, YRWA

Double Crested Cormorants, Mondo Ponds, 4/27/17, drying/preening

Milford Point, 4/27/17.  FOS SB Dowitcher with BB Plover, Dunlin

Green Heron, 4/26/17 Walker's Pond

Yellow-rumped Warbler bathing, Walker's Pond, 4/28/17

Singing Chipping Sparrow; FOS Green Heron

A short video of a singing Chipping Sparrow at Lake Chamberlain on 4/24/17 (note his trill is slower than the CHSP songs around him).  Also, a record photo of a Green Heron at Mondo Ponds (4/25/17): they've just returned, and I probably saw 3, a hint that we get two nests here again.

Green Heron, Mondo Ponds, 4/25/17

Milford Point FOS Purple Martin; also Tree Swallow, Dunlin 4/20/17

Milford Point FOS Purple Martin; also Tree Swallow, Dunlin 4/20/17.  And a recent female Red-winged Blackbird at Silver Sands.  At least 750 Dunlin in marsh at CACC on 4/20/17.  Some transitioning into alternate plumage. Tree Swallows gathering nesting material for boxes.

Tree Swallow, Milford Point, 4/20/17, gathering nesting material

female Purple Martin, Milford Point 4/20/17, FOS

Dunlin flying, Milford Point, 4/20/17

 Dunlin, Milford Point,  4/20/17 center bird attaining alternate plumage

adult female Red-winged Blackbird, Silver Sands SP, April 2017

Little Blue Heron, perhaps a hybrid, Hammonasset SP, 4/18/17

Little Blue Heron, perhaps a hybrid,  in same area as Virginia Rail, Hammonasset, 4/18/17.  Note very large bill, longer than typical Little Blue Heron.   Light color of base of legs; and light feathering on neck and throat.  Also, notice upright, elongated posture. All of these features point to hybrid with   Tricolored Heron.  

Little Blue Heron, perhaps a hybrid,  Hammonasset SP, 4/18/17

Lapland Longspur, Hammonasset 4/18/17

Lapland Longspur, Hammonasset State Park.  4/18/17.  A rare find at this time of year in CT.  The Lapland Longspur, almost in total breeding plumage, was found by Ed H. at the wet area next to the Nature Center Blind this morning. I relocated it in the parking area in the afternoon.